I DO NOT OWN NARUTO.
AN: I will be making a sequel to Limelight as well as a sequel to Mob Love Story sometime in 2015.
Sasuke's POV
"Talking."
'Thinking.'
The ambulance back doors finally burst open and I continued to cling blindly to Sakura's hand.
Honestly, I didn't even remember the ride over to the hospital because I had been so lost in thought, it was a miracle or some gift from above that Sakura was even still breathing.
The whole hospital was nothing but a blur of white as a raced down the hall, it would have stayed like that if a nurse hadn't been trying to make me release Sakura's hand.
The short dark haired nurse's mouth was obviously moving but her words were muffled, nothing was making sense.
A hand slapped on my shoulder and made my body jerk, the small movement severed my connection to a soft frail hand.
Losing my hold on Sakura's hand had rage tearing through me and everything went from a blur to clarity real quick. I watched as Sakura's gurney quickly disappeared behind swinging doors along with several doctors and nurses.
The hand on my shoulder tightened and thoughts of how I could rip into the person behind me danced to the forefront of my mind.
Images of driving my fist through a person's face flickered in my mind's eye, but they vanished just as quickly as they'd come.
He was here before anyone else but I would never ask him why. I honestly didn't care why. Just having my best friend close held me to Earth.
Naruto squeezed my shoulder once more as his gaze held mine. Having Naruto around might be the only way I didn't lash out. Sure the other Guardians would keep me in check, hell my family could keep me in line, but I was sort of glad it was him instead.
We'd grown up together and knew each other so well we hardly communicated with words in desperate times. Looking at steady blue eyes had air exhaling from my lungs.
It's weird how we could calm each other. No words necessary just the steady hard gaze of blue eyes and I was back to being numb.
"She'll be alright Sasuke, but now you have to let the medical team do their job."
Naruto's face slowly pulled into a smile, his three scars spreading wider. Ghostly memories of how he'd gotten those scars tapped across my conscious before Sakura's situation took precedence once more. "You can't go harassing the staff so Hinata and I will keep you in check."
Normal circumstances would have had me snorting at the idiot, but I was just too tapped for energy. I didn't even care to greet Hinata I was so numb.
Walking to the chairs lining the wall I slowly sank down with my eyes trained on the double doors.
'I need to know her status, to know if she's okay. Yet here I am doing nothing like damn usual.'
My teeth clacked together.
'I failed, again. Broke my promise to her again!'
My eyes dropped to the floor tiles as my hands tightened in my hair.
'If I had been faster that piece of shit wouldn't have driven off with her! I should've just shot him before when I had the chance!'
"Oi, Sasuke. Man you got to calm down you've been pulling on your hair for over thirty minutes now. Listen, Hinata grabbed a nurse and Sakura is being moved to a recovery room."
My gaze shot up and I was on my feet, "What? Where?"
"I'll tell you after you change out of those clothes."
Annoyance must have been clear on my face because before I could yell at the idiot he was throwing clothes at me, "You're covered in dirt and blood. Overall you look shittier than normal so go change and then we'll go."
A vein ticked in my jaw as I eyed the smiling idiot. My gaze finally traveled to Hinata for the first time and her silver gaze was filled with concern. Whether it was towards me or Sakura I didn't think too much on it.
Walking down the hall I found the small bathroom and quickly hit the lock. I was buck ass nude within seconds and changing into Naruto's clothes.
I tossed my ruined clothes in the garbage, I went to the sink and rinsed off whatever blood was left over.
My knuckles were torn apart which wasn't a big shock, blood was now dried and clotted I cleaned it off quickly.
Not bothering a glance at the mirror I walked back out of the bathroom and headed back toward Hinata and Naruto.
As Hinata lead the way I thanked Naruto and pulled the grey hoodies sleeves up to my elbows. We thankfully were still about the same size, but Naruto's dark blue jeans ran a little tight for my taste. Normally I would have complained but right now it didn't matter. Sakura did.
Hinata finally disappeared into a room and Naruto and I quickly followed.
A curtain was drawn across the room and shielded my immediate view of Sakura. The room was barley big enough to hold Sakura's bed.
My teeth grit together and instead of seeing my woman I walked out that room and straight to the nearest nurse.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha and I want Ms. Haruno transferred out of that small ass room and into a private suite immediately. I will personally sign and pay whatever is needed but I want it done now." I had used the calmest voice I had but honestly I was seeing tinges of red.
I would do everything in my power to care for Sakura and that started by pushing Kizashi out of her life. He had done enough to her already, and I didn't want him anywhere near here. If he so much as sneezed near this hospital I will probably shoot him.
Besides, it's time I start acting like the man my parents raised and take care of what's mine. I may have failed her but I have to try fixing that and it starts with her room.
They had put Sakura in practically a broom closet and called it a recovery room, the whole situation was rising my annoyance level.
"That's very nice sir, but we can't just move the patient, we have to-"
"I don't think I asked for our opinion. I asked for you to do as I said. If Sakura isn't moved within the next five minutes I'll personally call Tsunade and tell her about your incompetence. So, either move Sakura or enjoy the unemployment line, what's it going to be?"
My threat of taking her job was all the motivation she needed. Before I knew it the nurse was yelling orders and had staff rushing to move Sakura.
I signed my name on the paperwork with more force than necessary before getting directions to Sakura's new location on the top floor.
Riding the elevator I blocked out Hinata and Naruto's idle chit chat.
The door finally dinged open and I walked as fast as humanly possible down the hall.
The private room was wide and long. A window ran the length of the room creating more natural light than artificial.
Sakura's bed lay against a far wall and the sight of her glued my feet to the floor.
"Oi, what did you stop-Oh."
I couldn't feel my legs moving but they must have been because I was next to Sakura within seconds.
My heart was beating too loud in my ears I barley even heard Hinata, "We'll go look for Tsunade, come on Naruto. Babe we can come back later let Sasuke be for a while."
I didn't turn to Hinata or Naruto, my attention was completely held by the woman on the bed.
Sakura's green eyes were shut and shielded from my view, pink hair was almost a halo against the white pillow propping her head up. She looked too plea against all the white, the tube supplying oxygen to her nose was so foreign on her.
My eyes trailed slowly down noting all the various bruising. Wires ran to machines that beeped and told me she was alive.
I released the breath I had unconsciously held and slowly allowed myself to carefully wrap my hand around hers. The IV inserted in the top of her hand stopped full connection, but I didn't mind I was holding her again, that was enough for now.
I stretched my free arm out to slide the leather chair over to me and sank down.
Beeping and the rise and fall of Sakura's chest held my complete attention, hours could have passed when Tsunade finally walked in and I wouldn't have known.
"I don't think I've ever seen you look so distraught Sasuke."
I didn't bother a response if the old woman was going to annoy me she could get out, I was busy.
"No reply? Fine then. Sakura overall is fine, however she endured a serious blow to the temple slightly cracking the skull. She has three broken ribs and two cracked which is mostly the reason for the oxygen."
My mouth opened before I even finished processing the news, "When will she wake up?"
Beeping filled the space between the blonde doctor and me for several heartbeats.
Tsunade cleared her throat, "Sasuke you see these two machines? Well one is for her heart rate obviously, but the second is for monitoring brain waves."
My eyes finally traveled to the busty blonde waiting for her to actually answer my question.
"Due to the cranial fracture in Sakura's temple we have to continually monitor her brain waves. I honestly I don't know when she'll wake up, none of us do. Sakura will come to on her own when she's ready until then we wait. Any changes in either of these machines will let us know."
It took me a few seconds to sort through Tsunade's words because the only phrase that kept repeating in my mind was 'I don't know.'
My eyes narrowed dangerously but the blonde stared back evenly.
"You're telling me, you, a doctor doesn't know when her patient will wake up?" My voice sounded horse even to my own ears.
"That's exactly what I'm telling you Sasuke. Until Sakura decides she wants to wake up then you're stuck waiting like the rest of us."
I felt the vein in my jaw pop in growing annoyance as the blonde woman walked out. Before she left completely Tsunade turned and said a few more words, "Oh, and Sasuke don't ever harass my medical staff again or I'll make sure you're escorted out."
I bit back my nasty retort and let her leave.
Silence broken only by beeping again settled over the room and my thoughts swam.
I released Sakura's hand and leaned my elbows against my knees. Resting my head against my hands I finally noticed the touch of cool metal to my skin.
Reaching behind the hoodie and retrieved the necklace Sakura had given me. I wasn't much of a jewelry person but Sakura's gift was an exception.
Ever since the night she was drugged up and had given it to me I had worn it.
My eyes traced the dog tag with my name before traveling to my family crest. A droplet of liquid landed on the Uchiha fan and then another. A few more tears rolled down my face before I finally realized it was me who was crying. I have never been one to cry and doing it now, next to Sakura's bed I realized just how foreign it felt. I didn't move to wipe the tears away nor did I care if someone saw a great Uchiha breaking down. All in all I just didn't care or have the energy to try.
Annoying whispers pulled me out of sleep. I had apparently nodded off yesterday and had slept the entire night.
Prying open my eyes against the bright morning sun I slowly registered a now very quiet Hinata and Naruto.
Knowing Naruto he was either hiding something or up to trouble otherwise he was never quiet. Yawning I carefully eyed the duo in the room again before grumbling to them, "What do you want?"
Naruto's eyes narrowed, obviously I had asked the wrong question.
Hinata quickly placed on hand on Naruto's shoulder which effectively had his anger dispel.
"Good morning Sasuke. Naruto and I came back this morning to see how Sakura was doing."
I grunted in response because I was still tired and honestly didn't have anything to say.
"Oi teme want to come grab food with us?"
I simply shook my head and grabbed Sakura's frail hand, "I have to be here when she wakes. You guys go."
My eyes had shut again but I felt Hinata and Naruto staring at me for several moments.
Annoyance began flaring in my mind when Naruto spoke again further away and I figured he was at the door. "We will stop by later then maybe."
I didn't make a sound of acknowledgement and listened to the door click shut just as sleep took me again.
Time was becoming a blur after just two days of constantly siting in this chair next to Sakura. My muscles screamed for movement but the only time that came was on a bathroom break. My appetite had died sometime yesterday I think because I didn't crave food anymore.
People have been in and out if this room so much lately I don't even bother to keep track. I think Naruto and Hinata had stopped by again along with my parents but I blew them off. They always wanted me to talk or eat something, but I am content with siting here quietly. It's better this way.
Usually a nurse will come to fiddle with Sakura's IV or one of the machines and I'd let them work undisturbed. I had never bothered them and they would never bothered me in return.
I don't even acknowledge people anymore, I would rather just watch Sakura sleep and sit waiting for her to pull out of this...whatever it was.
A firm grip on my shoulder pulled me from my thoughts. I turned my gaze away from the heart monitor that had recently become my favorite to watch.
Black eyes that mirrored my own looked down at me, my father's face looked grim as he took in my disheveled state.
I spared my father a few more moments of eye contact before returning my gaze to the heart monitor.
"Sasuke; honey it's us, your mom and dad. Honey I have a change of clothes for you so you can shower."
My mother's sweet voice shrouded the beeping I had become accustomed to and I turned to her. My mother's own set of dark eyes were pooling with sadness. Concern was etched onto her face, standing next to my father she always looked aged whenever she was upset.
Normally I would have been the son to set her down and listen to what was wrong but instead I just looked back to the machine. The green line did its continual dance.
My father squeezed my shoulder once again with more force this time, my glaring eyes shot to his face. I didn't have time for a pathetic family meeting, I just wanted to sit here in peace.
"Sasuke please go shower. You've been sitting in the same clothes for two days straight."
My mother all but pleaded to me as my father and I continued our glaring before his deep voice broke into the room.
"Listen to your mother, take the clothes and shower Sasuke. Sakura won't want to wake up seeing you filthy. I personally will throw you into the bathroom if you don't."
My vision tinged red at my father's words; he could always crawl under my skin.
"Sasuke look at me."
My eyes flashed to my mother and the rage I'd felt rising, vanished at seeing the tears she let fall down we face.
"Sasuke please. I hate seeing my little boy so torn up already and looking at you hurts so much, we now this is hard for you. You still have to take care of yourself though, please. If not for your family and friends do to for Sakura. You need to eat and get cleaned up honey."
The pain that had been in my chest since Sakura's hospital admittance grew fiercer at my mother's pleas.
Exhaling heavily I stood on weak legs and grabbed unconsciously onto my father for support. Guess mother was right, I did need to eat.
Once I felt strong enough I walked to my mother slowly and cupped her soft face.
"I can't just leave her. I have to be here when she wakes up, I keep telling everyone this." My voice was low as I steadily held her gaze.
A silent sob wracked through my mother before my father's voice spoke again. "Tsunade has told everyone, including you that those machines will tell us when she is about to wake up. Seeing how there is nothing new on the readings you have time to shower and eat, that's final."
I was a grown ass man with a father who still tired telling me how to live, but he had a point.
Looking over my shoulder at Sakura's still form and continually beeping machines I knew he was right.
Dropping my hands from my mother's face I replaced them on top of her soft ones. My mother was gripping the new clothes so hard her hands shook with happiness when she knew I would go shower.
Casting Sakura another glance I made it toward the private bathroom as my father spoke once more, "I will let you know if anything changes with Sakura while you shower. Also your mother is going to have food delivered to the room, then when you are finished we have something to discuss."
I didn't even bother to argue instead I shut the door and blasted the hot water.
Stepping from the shower I dried as fast as possible. Throwing on the fresh t-shirt and jeans I caught a glimpse of myself in the fogged mirror.
My hand swiped away the fog and I stood stock still at the man staring back at me.
My black hair still dripped slightly while clinging to my neck and darkened my red shirt.
My dark eyes stood out more against my pale skin. I looked lighter than I remember.
A knock at the bathroom snapped my personal assessment. "Food is here Sasuke come eat while it's warm dear."
Opening the door I was greeted by my smiling mother. She reached up on her tip toes and kissed my check before leading me back toward my father and Sakura, who was sill asleep.
My parents had managed to find two spare chairs and sat on the other side of Sakura's bed.
The warm smell of cooked meat captured my attention. On a rolling table lay what I assumed was my meal. Steak with corn and potatoes sat waiting.
It didn't take long to down the food and I quickly pushed the table aside when I was done. I had practically been forced to eat everything in order to please my mother.
"Now to discuss a very pressing matter."
My father didn't waste time jumping into things.
My hand found Sakura's as my father began to speak.
"Over the last few days many people have stopped by to visit Sakura, most of them being her friends. However one person has yet to see her."
I knew the name he was going to say before my father could even utter the first letter.
'Kizashi.'
He had been calling the room three times a day for the last two days straight asking permission to see Sakura, and every time I would tell him to fuck off.
After everything he had done Kizashi had the nerve to actually even call, like he cared. I say bullshit.
Why try now? He was dead in my eyes, especially if he had stooped low enough to go to my father.
"No. He's not seeing her. He can go find someone else to fuck up, he's done enough to Sakura already. I will not let him come here and disrupt her healing, not an option."
My voice was pure steel and finality as my eyes locked with my father's.
"It's not your decisions Sasuke."
"Like hell it's not. I'm done letting him toy with her. Enough is enough."
"At the end of the day Sasuke he is her father and has the right. I'm not here to get you anymore stressed out, because you already have Sakura to deal with. However take some time to think it over, otherwise he will come here without your blessing. You know that."
My teeth snapped together with enough force the sound echoed in the room. It was taking everything I had not to fly of the handle.
My mother reached across the bed and gripped onto Sakura and mine's adjoined hands.
"Sasuke just take today and think about it. Maybe set up a compromise or something, he sounded very desperate over the phone earlier. He was an old friend of your father and mine's, at least do this for us. Okay?"
I didn't make a move to reply and my parents slowly rose before saying a goodbye. I didn't move until after the room door shut.
Releasing Sakura's hand I stood and started pacing in front of the large hospital bed.
The moon outside softly lit the room. It must be almost midnight and here I am sitting next to the bed like always. My motivational visit from my parents still played over in my mind, most notably the request involving Kizashi.
How would I even be able to fulfill that? The simple idea of him even being in this room had rage igniting.
'No there's just no way is it happening. '
My eyes looked at Sakura's almost unblemished skin. Most of the bruising had disappeared and her completely soft and beautiful features returned.
'But I can't control her. I can't be like him. I won't compromise he'd have to do exactly as I say. Maybe she would want to see him?'
I fisted my hair in frustration. I had been going back and forth between these exact thoughts since my parents left. 'Yes he gets to see her.' Then back again to, 'No he doesn't.'
A migraine pounded in my temples, I was over thinking this.
Taking a few very deep breaths I reached for the bedside phone and dialed the Son of Satan's telephone.
Normally I would have just hit speed dial on my cell, but that had finally died an hour ago after three days without a charge. Plus I had been thinking about this phone call for so long I had memorized his number unconsciously.
The end of the line rang three times and I almost hung up when a frantic hello greeted me.
"Hello!?"
I took another deep breath to reign in my calmest composure, and considering it was Kizashi I had to speak with was saying a lot.
"Kizashi. It's Sasuke Uchiha."
The deafening silence that filled the line had me smirking. 'Good he fears me after our last conversation.'
"I'm going to tell you my conditions once so listen very carefully. You will stop by at the end of the week to visit Sakura. She may or may not be awake. If Sakura is awake I want you spending the next few days rehearsing an apology so you can beg for her forgiveness. You have damaged her enough and if you so much as blink at her wrong I will be obligated to shoot you. You no longer control her life. I want Sakura to have her life back, and I understand the press will still follow her around, but I want it out to minimum of one camera man. Also as my last condition you will either be a better father or get the hell out if her life depending on if she accepts your apology."
I allowed serval heart beats to pass as silence filled the line still.
"Am I clear Kizashi, or do you need to have another physical discussion? I will gladly break your nose again."
"N-n-no I, ugh completely understand. I will start on things right away."
"Good."
"Sasuke I really am sorry-"
"Don't apologize to me save it for Sakura. As far as I'm concerned you are worthless and be warned Kizashi if Sakura doesn't accept you apology consider your campaign to disappear. Screw this up and my threat about losing your governmental spot becomes very real."
With that said I hung up.
Beeping of my now favorite monitor calmed the anger that had built during my phone call, as I released a shuttering breath a weight seemed to slightly lift from my shoulders.
Soon enough each beep had my eyes dropping lower and lower before blissful sleep came.
"Wake up little brother you're drooling."
My eyes snapped open and took in the sight of my very amused brother.
"What do you want?"
"Good to know you still wake up grumpy."
My eyes narrowed as my brother smirked before turning his gaze to Sakura.
"I'm not kidding Itachi either tell me why you woke me or use the door."
"Little Sasuke you do know its 1:30 in the afternoon, right?"
I felt my lips pull into a tight line.
"Itachi I don't care what time it is. If you're here to bother me about Kizashi tell mother and father I compromised and it's been handled. Now. Get. Out."
"Why should I leave? It's rather fun annoying you. Besides now that you aren't a Guardian anymore I thought I would come visit my VP. "
I continued to stare at my brother with annoyed hate for being woken up.
"Keep that scowl in place long enough and it might actually scare away the pidgins outside the window. Listen Sasuke I didn't come to harass you in all your morning glory, I simply stopped by to visit you and Sakura. My lunch meeting was cancelled. Some of our business partners have gotten interested in how you and especially Sakura are doing. You two haven't been on the streets in over a week and the press still has you two as top gossip, especially after the incident."
I sat back in my chair rarer bored with Itachi's ramble. I figured the press would still have Sakura as the hot topic but knowing it was effecting Uchiha Incorporated was another thing entirely.
Itachi looked down at his Rolex before straightening his already straight tie, "Guess this concludes my visit for today I have a budget meeting at three. Anyways take all the time you need Sasuke with Sakura. Business is rather slow and I have things handled, so there's no need for you my dear VP quiet yet. Enjoy the vacation little brother."
Itachi made his way to the door and left.
A moment passed before another person came walking in.
The smell of food registered before Naruto popped his head around the corner of the door frame.
"What's up teme?!" I woke up and came right over today Hinata has clothing to designs for the Milan fashion week and kicked me out of the store. Anyways so now I'm stuck with you and Sakura for a bit!"
"Oh gee the fun." My voice was flat while I grabbed the offered cup of ramen.
Naruto and I surprisingly ate in silence for a while, but of course it didn't last long.
"Shikamaru told me Ino has been Sakura's night shift doctor. Have you seen her lately?"
I didn't bother answering, Naruto always tended to have one sided conversations with himself and I just let it go. Saved me from having to talk.
"No? Well I guess Ino works so much Shikamaru has gotten bored enough to invite me over for beer and the football game at Choji's later..."
I let Naruto's rant fade away as I concentrated on Sakura's heart monitor beep.
To normal people a heart monitor might be annoying, but to me the sound of Sakura's heart rate was its own musical. Knowing that she was still alive and well made the sound all the more appealing to me.
"Oi?"
Beep Beep.
"Oi Sasuke!?"
Beep. Beep.
"Teme." Naruto slugged my arm hard enough that the ramen still in my cup sloshed slightly on the floor.
"What idiot!? Look what you did moron."
"It's not my fair your brain goes dancing through fantasy land. I was talking to you, you jerk."
"Yea well clean up the mess you made."
Naruto landed another hit to my arm and in return I slapped the back of his hard enough to have home falling out of his chair.
"Knock it off Naruto and clean up the mess."
Blue eyes glared heatedly back at my icy one.
As Naruto headed to the bathroom for paper towels I tossed the ramen away. We continued our verbal abuse for another hour when Naruto delivered his cheap fear well punch to my chest and took off.
The room regained its beautifully orchestrated beeps and I sat there for while just holding Sakura's hand.
Frantic beeping had my eyes snapping open to the dark hospital room in seconds.
I stared at the elevated heart monitor in disbelief before trailing my eyes, achingly slow, down.
I didn't move or rather couldn't move. The full moon outside lite up the room just enough so I could see her.
Sakura was awake. Albeit she had her wide green eyes plastered to the ceiling at the moment but it didn't matter.
I felt the cold pain that had settled in my chest began to dissipate with every second.
She turned her head to me but quickly shut her eyes in pain, my lungs stalled. 'What happened?'
When Sakura finally reopened her eyes only then did my lungs work again. Her green eyes still looked their usually bright shade of green, even in the dark room.
My mouth pulled into an unseen smile, "Hey."
All the things I could have said and wanted her to know blew out the window, and I instead settled for just that simple word.
"Hi." Sakura's voice was hoarse but it was still as angelic as the first time she had yelled at me all those months ago.
To say I was happy to hear that voice again would have been an understatement. Sakura was practically my air. Every time she laughs or talks the air I breath just seems more pure with her around. Her simple greeting allowed me to take my first actual breath in a week.
I found her hand and squeezed lightly, I had to touch her, touching her made this real and not some dream.
"How do you feel?" My eyes ran the length of her body in one swipe before there were back to staring at green.
"I could use some morphine, everything hurts." Sakura closed her eyes in pain and it was all the motivation I needed to get up out of my chair.
"I'm going to get the doctor on duty. I'll just be outside the door for a moment. Tsunade will probably come immediately when they report you woke up." I gave Sakura's hand another gentle squeeze before striding to the door and cracked it open.
I stopped a nurse who had been walking the hall, "I need Tsunade to be notified immediately, Sakura is awake. Also Sakura is in pain requesting morphine."
"Yes, sir. I'll get the morphine right away and contact Dr. Yamaka and page Tsunade."
I didn't bother a thanks just nodded and walked back into the room. The hall light cast shadows over Sakura and I couldn't actually see her until I was next to her bed sitting down again.
Lights flipped on in the room and I was blessed with seeing her clearly. Pink hair and green eyes just like always yet they seemed even more unique now that she were fully awake.
A nurse fiddled with her IV bag as I watched Sakura's eyes light up even more and glistened with tears. I could only guess Ino was standing at the end of the bed but I didn't turn to find out, the next second the blonde was on the other side of the bed.
A heavy exhale broke my concentrated staring as Ino's eyes skimmed over the monitors. "Tsunade has been notified but no one will be back to bother you until morning unless you need something." Ino's voice was calm as she spoke. Sakura looked at Ino with confusion, "What about blood samples and the hourly check?"
Ino smirked before leaning down and kissing Sakura's head. "Worry not Haruno you need the rest more than to be woken. Besides you're off duty so relax and let everyone enjoy you being back."
I watched as Sakura opened and closed her mouth, the telltale frown marks on her forehead showed her confusion. "Being back? I was only gone for like a day."
I had been smirking until those words left her mouth, then my whole body tensed. My teeth grit together as wide green eyes moved to focus on me. I knew what she was going to ask before it even formed on her soft lips.
"It was only a day...right?"
There it was. The question I had mentally prepared for all week, yet it still hurt. The pain my chest that had previously vanished when Sakura woke came back with crushing force. I closed my eyes against the pain as I gulped in air.
Answering her question shouldn't hurt this much but it does. Honestly the pain I was feeling was just realizing that all that had happened was real, it wasn't like a sick dream I could wake from and pretend it never happened.
"No, it wasn't just a day Sakura."
I opened my eyes and masked all emotion and looked into jade green.
When I opened my mouth to continue I mentally had to tell myself to remain calm for her sake. "You went missing for a day...but you've been in this hospital with me by your side for a week."
I kept my face as blank as possible as she just stared at me. Sakura's heart beat filled the silence between us before a sob shattered the delicate quiet.
I jumped to my feet, "Shhh baby. It's okay now. I'm here, please calm down. Shhh." I kissed Sakura's head and cradled her face. Not just to calm her and the racing monitor but to ground myself. This was all so surreal for us both.
"A week. Oh, no. Sasuke I'm so sorry-"
"Whoa for what?" I cut Sakura off before she even faked finish the sentence. "Listen to me you did nothing wrong Sakura, okay? You had us all waiting and now you're awake and well that's all any of us care about. Don't you dare beat yourself up."
To think Sakura actually thought this was her made me want to go find Sai and Kizashi, because I had a .22 caliber with two bullets ready for them both.
I kept talking and rocking Sakura gently as the heart monitor slowed, 'I should have just shot Sai. Then she wouldn't be having a panic attack in a hospital!
I few moments passed before I deemed it okay for me to sit back down. Sakura wiped at her eyes and hiccupped, "I thought you were gone."
I let the arrogant smirk surface, "Well I'm still here pinky and I will never go anywhere but your side. So you're stuck with me."
A true smile etched its way to Sakura's features, "I wouldn't want it any other way when it comes to my dark angel."
Under normal circumstances I would have poked fun at her but the morphine was definitely kicking in. Having dealt with a drugged Sakura before I simply quirked an eyebrow at my odd new nickname.
Green eyes hazily danced with happiness as her musical laughed filled the room. I couldn't helped the sigh that left me. I had missed the hell out of her and everything she did. Especially her laugh.
Green eyes began to droop with sleep as the morphine took over completely, "I love my dark angel."
Those words were enough to leave me shocked silent while she fell asleep.
A smile tugged at my lips.
If I was her dark angle then she was my light to salvation and I'd love and protect her forever.